Tennessee Congressional delegation asks Biden for disaster relief after ice storm

The entire Tennessee Congressional delegation urged President Joe Biden Wednesday to approve a disaster declaration that would allow municipalities across the state to be reimbursed for costs associated with February's ice storm.

The delegation, which included all nine representatives and both senators, sent Biden the letter asking him to approve Gov. Bill Lee's request for a declaration under the Stafford Act, a federal law that governs disaster relief. 

"The storm created hazardous travel conditions, blocked roads, and claimed the life of one Tennessean. Damage to utility infrastructure caused widespread power outages for thousands of residents across several counties. Some residents were without power for more than a week amid freezing temperatures," the letter said. 

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Lee is requesting relief for Crockett, Fayette, Haywood, Lauderdale, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley counties.